Ep512 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

The Five Elemental Divine Beads. Wood (木), Fire (火), Earth (土), Metal (金), and Water (水). These five beads, each encapsulating a unique elemental energy, were essential for her to achieve her goals. Knowing this, Baek Woo-jin tirelessly worked to prevent her from obtaining all of the Five Elemental Divine Beads. Thanks to his efforts, he managed to secure the Wood and Water Divine Beads, but the lingering question always followed. "The reaction wasn't as strong as I expected." She had abandoned everything for the singular purpose of a new beginning with Baek Woo-jin. For someone who had lost items crucial to her goals, her response was surprisingly lukewarm. This puzzled him until he finally found the answer through her recent actions. "It didn't really matter whose hands they were in." At this, Chunma curled his lips into a crooked smile and nodded. "Late, but that's the correct answer." Whose hands held the beads was of no consequence. What mattered was whether the seals were intact. As the ritual neared its climax: Were the seals on the Five Elemental Divine Beads released, or not? "As long as the seals are broken, it doesn't matter where they are." Whether in Baek Woo-jin's possession or hidden miles away— Once unsealed, the Elemental Divine Beads were destined to converge here. This was the will and arrangement of the divine. He nearly lost his composure at the thought. "All that effort... for nothing." If his efforts to acquire the Wood and Water Divine Beads only aided rather than hindered her, what was the point? With astonishing ease, she nonchalantly continued, "The Five Elements are the origin of all forms in this world..." Before she could finish, Baek Woo-jin charged forward. He realized too late the role these beads would play here. As she'd said, everything in this world was born from the mingling of those five energies. And the beads were gifts directly from the deities to mankind. "They weren't merely beads containing power." They were divine powers. Given the user's ability, these powers could construct a world of their own. She intended to exploit this. By tossing all the Elemental Divine Beads into that pitch-black void... To make that void, which the divine referred to as a trash bin, perceive this world as undeserving of existence. Baek Woo-jin's face twisted in despair. "That... cannot happen!" He must prevent it. Yet why, oh why did this mere span of five steps feel so insurmountable? Despite exerting every ounce of strength to reach her... “It’s useless.” As if mocking his desperate attempts, she casually extended her hand towards the sky. Instantly, the five beads circling her palm radiated vibrant hues and soared into the air. "Ah..." Baek Woo-jin stood aghast, watching the beads rapidly vanish beyond reach. Seeing him in such a state, Chunma smiled. "Amusing, isn't it?" Even when the armies led by the Demon King ravaged the heart of the empire, he never showed despair. But now he was left hopeless, with no means of altering the outcome—how refreshing it must be. In the blink of an eye, the five beads reached the edge of the sky and were drawn into the void. As the trails of vibrant colors they left behind were swallowed by darkness— Boom! Suddenly, the hole that had silently gazed down from the sky let out a sound that shook the heavens and the earth. Rumblings... The world began to tremble. "Ha, ha-ha... Finally, it has begun." The pent-up emotions finally cast a shadow on her face. It was the ultimate thrill, felt only by the victorious. Even she, always cautious when facing Baek Woo-jin, was certain this time. That no matter how exceptional he was, he couldn't stop the impending ruin. For this was assured by the gods. The moment the Elemental Divine Beads were absorbed by the void, the very force constructing this world would weaken. Thus, the world would become unstable, susceptible to even minor crises, and the void would efficiently consume and erase it. Chunma gently stroked his cheek with a tender touch as he stood powerless, staring blankly at the sky. "It's time to let go. You've done enough. No one can blame you." A voice urging him to surrender echoed. Simultaneously, water, once confidently flowing between lands, was irresistibly drawn upwards into the void. Trailing behind was the fire demon, steadily consuming the world, expanding its size. "Come, rest in my embrace for just a while. Close your eyes and simply listen to the heartbeat you feel beyond my chest..." Chunma slowly pulled Baek Woo-jin’s head towards her chest with outstretched arms. Despite the complete transformation from head to toe, her touch, scent, and breath remained unchanged. Thump! Thump! The steady, comforting rhythm of her heart's beats brought an inexplicable sense of calm. Yet, even so, Baek Woo-jin's eyes were fixed on the sky over her shoulder. "......" A majestic tree, so massive that it would take the outstretched arms of five strong men to circle, was uprooted and drifted helplessly into the sky, vanishing from sight. Bloodstained weapons sprawled everywhere followed suit. Clang! Clang! As if the battle refused to end, they clashed and shattered noisily in the air. Ultimately, they faded away without reaching any conclusion, disappearing into nothingness. Things that should never be seen in the sky took flight as if dancing, disappearing. And when even the ground, the very foundation of the world, began to rise... A crisis descended upon humanity, their footing steadily vanishing beneath them. "What... what is happening?!" "What on earth is going on?!" Amid the reverse currents of the world, people were bewildered. "Everyone, hold on tight!" "Don't let go, no matter what!" "Do not release each other's hands!" They clung desperately. To the solidly rooted trees. To the grand edifices painstakingly erected upon the earth. And to each other. Grasping hands, they forcibly pulled down comrades who were being lifted towards the sky. "The heavens are angry." "They seek to punish a land stained with too much blood..." Everything soared skyward, vanishing somewhere. This bizarre phenomenon was near impossible to describe as anything but the divine wrath of the gods. As everyone cried out their sins, yearning for salvation— "Get a grip, everyone!" "Hold on with everything you've got! We must endure!" "If we can just endure a bit longer…!" Amidst the chaos, Baek Woo-jin's team members, anchored to the ground using martial techniques, shouted in unison: "Master Baek will find a way!" "The Celestial Swordmaster is fighting up there!" "Our captain will resolve this; just stay alive and hold on to hope!" Even as doom loomed, they held steadfast belief. In Baek Woo-jin. That he could quell even this incredible spectacle. That as long as he hadn't given up, they shouldn't either. Their cries of desperate faith, sadly, did not reach Baek Woo-jin's ears. Given the overwhelming noise of destruction, not even the most powerful techniques could carry their voices, devoid of internal energy, to him. While all clung to hope and struggled, Baek Woo-jin stood dazed. In the embrace he had longed to be in. Listening to the heartbeat closer than any sound of doom. There he stood, unmoving. Yet not everything was at a standstill. "Is it truly beyond my control now?" His thoughts raced, wildly and with utter confusion. "Honestly, given my efforts, it's like I've done what I could." He rationalized against a destruction that seemed insurmountable. "If we just get swept away, no one will remain to blame me, right?" In a resigned mindset, he muttered absurdities to himself. "Is there really no way to stop it?" And yet, amidst those thoughts, he pondered endlessly on how to halt the catastrophe. Not because he believed a solution existed, but out of habit. Having fought desperately for survival on a daily basis, he found himself futilely flailing at the very end. As his detached gaze rolled aimlessly, he moved ever deeper into her embrace unconsciously. Till the near-acceptance of despair erupted into a frenzy. "..." Facing inevitable destruction and death. It seemed nothing could reverse the situation, regardless of what he did. If so, then inversely— "...isn't there nothing to lose even if I try anything?" Reaching this line of thought, Baek Woo-jin resolved to truly lose his mind. His first action was to break away from her embrace that consumed him like a swamp. Chunma, casting a longing glance at Baek Woo-jin who suddenly pulled away. "...Why suddenly? It would've been perfect to close our eyes together." She sighed in disappointment, to which Baek Woo-jin grinned incongruously with the situation. "It's not a bad idea, but it’s just not my taste." Dying in the arms of a loved one? Not a bad way to go. If the last thing felt before death is each other’s warmth, there may be nothing more fulfilling. However, regardless of such comforting thoughts, Baek Woo-jin's body refused to accept it. Flailing desperately until the end, never pausing long enough to truly feel death’s approach— that was his chosen ending. An immaculate death permitting not even a pinch of regret. He waved at her with a bright smile, offering what might be his final farewell. "If I die, see you in the next life." Simultaneously, he gradually relaxed. His body slowly ascending due to the pull from the void. Chunma watched with eyes wide in astonishment. "What are you...!" Ignoring her words, his gaze fixed upon the black void above. What a dime-store novelist deemed the trash bin marking the world's end. Baek Woo-jin had made his determination. "That will be my grave." That place shall be his final resting place. Author's Note (Afterword) I'm terribly sorry for the delay in releasing this chapter. And I regret to inform you that there may be occasional delays again. As you might feel too, we’re nearing the end now. For this reason, I've been cautious with each word I write and believe that I must be. Despite having disappointed you several times with storylines that strayed from your expectations, I personally feel there's nothing more appalling than a poorly executed ending. Thus, delays might occur once in a while. I assure you, such delays won't exceed a day, and I'll strive to prevent them as much as possible. But if I miss a day's release, please know I'm caught up in my own search for the right path. I will do my utmost until the conclusion. I look forward to bringing you the next chapter. Thank you for reading, every single time. Have a wonderful day. (_ _)